Machine for interpreting and printing perforated records



July 1, 1941. c. D. LAKE ETAL MACHINE FOR INTERPRETING AND PRINTINGPERFORATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 18, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS CL /Rp L/IKE 3 FER/V0.5 E #AM/L Ta/v AT TORNEY July 1, 1941.

C5D. LAKE ETAL MACHINE FOR INTERPR-ETING AND PRINTING PERFORATED RECORDSFiled Oct. 18, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS CLfl/R D. LAKE B E m m,iw. a @N W E== %Mm 5 MN vllIHlllllllIlllIIIIIIIIIIIIIH July 1, 1941. c.D. LAKE ETAL 2,247,916

MACHINE FOR INTERPRETING AND PRINTING PERFORATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 18,1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 644/? 0 MIKE fl/VD FRANCIS E. HAM/LTa/vawf- ATTORNEY July 1, 1941. D. LAKE EIAL 2347.916

MACHINE FOR INTERPRETING AND PRINTING PERFORATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 18,1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 12.

C AIR D LAKE m/D FRANCIS E. HAM/L d V INVENTORS ATTORNEY C. D. LAKE ETALFiled 001;. 18, 1958 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 wsu YR fling wnvu l uu 1! wuxkINVENTORS CLA/IP 22 LAKE A/C/S E H/M/I/LTO/V awfmu z' ATTORNEY July 1,1941.

MACHINE FOR INTERPRETING AND PRINTING PERFORATED RECORDS hm um mm m mwmm a QM 2 E E m. S

July 1, 1941. c. D. LAKE ETAL 2,247,916

MACHINE FOR INTERPHETING AND PRINTING PFRFORATED RECORDS Filed Oct. 18,1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIG. 15.. T

ATTORNEY I Patented July 1, 1941 MACHINE FOR INTEBPRETHVG AND PRINT- INGPERFOBATED RECORDS Clair D. Lake, Binghamton, and Francis E. Hamilton,Endicott, N. Y., assignors to International Business MachinesCorporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationOctober 18, 1938, Serial No. 235,610

8 Claims.

This invention relates to tabulating machines and more particularly tomachines of the type capable of sensing perforated records, interpretingthe meaning of the perforations and controlling the operation of theprinting mechanism to print the amounts represented by the perforationson the records.

Machines of the above type have been utilized for printing on perforatedrecords to form checks issued for payment of some monetary transactionand machines of the above type have been found to be highly accurate intheir operations when used commercially. Nevertheless, any singleinstance of improper printing should be guarded against however rare itsoccurrence. Such improper operations may result from wear of parts,dust, change in adjustment of parts, the probability of an unpunched oroff-punched hole in the card, omission of a hole in a column, a brokenplug wire, etc., and the signaling to the user of such a change orcondition is an indication of requirement of service for such machinesto prevent repetition of improper printing. It is, therefore, the mainobject of the present invention to provide a machine for printing undercontrol of a perforated record an amount represented by the perforationsof the record and to provide comparing mechanism for indicating to theoperator when the amounts have not been accurately printed.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention; to analyzea record to cause under control of the analyzing means the setting of asingle set of type bars to print an amount, preferably on the perforatedrecord; to provide means controlled by the single set of type bars andthe analyzing means to determine whether the type bars have beenaccurately set to print the amount represented by the perforated record;and to prevent the printing operation when a type bar has not beenaccuratel positioned.

As is well known machines of the above class are controlled by recordswhich are perforated in columns and the perforation placed in the columnis indicative of the particular digit represented in that column and maybe either the digits to 9 inclusive and two special perforationsrepresenting the numerals 11 and 12. The present machine'is providedwith a mechanism, preferably electrically controlled, which determineswhether the type bar has been properly positioned to represent any ofthe digits 0 to 9 in each of the columns from which printing iseffected.

In some systems it is the practice to completely perforate a field ofthe card to represent all of the digits 0 to 9. Specifically where afour column field is perforated with a number having two denominationaldigits, the remaining two columns at the left would be perforated torepresent 0. This provides a convenient checking system to ensureagainst omissions.

It' will be obvious that in the printing of a two digit number, such as,for example, -24- the two columns at the left would be represented onthe card by perforations indicating 4024. The present machine wouldprint this amount as -0024- and obviously the printing of theunnecessary zeros might bring about confusion in reading the amount andwould be altogether undesirable when printed upon a tabulating cardwhich is to be used as a. check. These two columns must be printed blankor if so desired printed with an asterisk. Again considering the fourdigit number -0204 the suppression of the printing of the unnecessaryzeros at the left will, in the present machine, prevent the printing ofthe "0 between the two digits 2 and 4 and other means are hereinprovided for causing the zero insertion by mechanical means andhereinafter is designated as mechanical zero. With an understanding ofthe above, it is explained that the present machine is provided with ameans for determining whether the type bar has been properly positionedto print the mechanical zero, or if the type bar has been set to a blankor asterisk printing position, and the determination of the accuracy ofsuch positioning of the type bar is also a further and important objectof the present invention.

The machine is provided with a means for determining the above and ispreferably electrical in control and operation and together with theother checking means previously described for the digits 1 to 9 iscapable of determining whether the type bar has been accuratelypositioned for all of the type carried thereby and from which printingoperations can be effected.

As is well known, the perforated card is disposed and passed through themachine so that the digits are analyzed in the sequence 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and the machine first analyzes and determines whetherany of the aforesaid digits are represented in a column of the card andthe comparing or checking means is controlled by the analyzing means andthe position of the type bar sofas to determine the proper positioningof the type bar in accordance with the aforesaid digits to be printed.In the event that none of these digits are to be printed but 7 under theconditions previously mentioned a mechanical zero is to be printed, oran asterisk or the type bar positioned to the blank printing position,the machine is capable of sensing this fact and automatically bringsinto operation a checking mechanism to check the position of the typebar forits setting at the blank positionor printing at the mechanicalzero or asterisk printing position.

It is a further object of the present invention to cause the aforesaidchecking and comparing mechanisms to control the operation of themachine and more specifically it is an object of the present inventionto cause the machine to be stopped whenever it is determined thatimproper printing will result from any of the aforementioned causes. Themachine is preferably so constructed that the machine will stop beforethe type hammers will be released to cause the improper printing of theresult.

. By constructing the machine in the above described manner it will notbe possible to improperly print amounts, and the operator will besignaled whenever such improper printing is liable to occur. Hence themachine will operate in a more eificient manner than heretofore, andmore perfect operations thereof will ensue.

Further objects of the instant invention reside in any novel feature ofconstruction or operation or novel combination of parts present in theembodiment of the invention described and shown in the accompanyingdrawings whether within or without the scope of the appended claims andirrespective of other specific statements as to the scope of theinvention contained herein.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional-view of the machine.

Fig. 2' is a sectional view taken at one side of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the connection adapted for effecting printingline adjustments.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation disclosing in normal position, themeans controlled by the type bars for causing the closure of checkingcontacts at the time the type bars are stopped.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the contact closing devices to moreclearly show their arrangement and construction.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but shows certain parts in operatedposition.

Fig. 7 is a detail of a type bar shown in relation of the printingplaten and shows a full complement of type.

Fig. 8 is a plan view showing a fragmentary portion of a card.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line i0-I0 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 11 is a detail of zero suppression mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a position view of the parts shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a plan detail of parts in Fig. 11 on an enlarged scale.

vFig. 14 is a timing diagram showing the timing desirable to closecertain electrical contacts and circuits.

Fig. 15 is an electrical wiring diagram.

Card feeding mechanism In more detail, Ill (Fig. 2) represents the maindrive shaft of the machine. This may be driven in any suitable manner asby an electric motor through belt H rotating a pulley attached to ashaft I51. A uni-directional coupling I2 is interconnected between shaftl0 and III.

From shaft III a worm i3 (Fig. 2) drives worm wheel ll secured to ashaft I! to which is also secured a box cam It. A pivoted cam followerarm I! has a roller It at one end riding in the cam groove and at theother has connection to an arm l9 through adjustable rod 20.

Arm I9 is secured to a shaft 2| having arms 22 (see Fig. 1) in pin andslot engagement with pickers 23 mounted for reciprocation in the frameof the machine. This reciprocating picker mechanism is adapted toadvance-one record card at a time from the supply stack or magazine 24.

Shaft I51 through gears 25 shown in Fig. 2 drives a parallel shaft 26which has threaded sections 21 meshing with worm gears 28 on feed rollershafts 29 to drive feed rollers 30 (Fig. 1')

constantly. The card which is advanced by the picker passes into thebite of the first pair of feed rollers 30 to the left in Fig. 1 andissubsequently guided to the analyzing or perforation reading deviceswhich comprise brushes 3| and a contact roller 32. These brushes andcontact roller are of conventional structure such as is commonly used inelectrically controlled tabulating machines.

After passing the analyzing brushes 3| the cards pass to the second pairof feed rollers 30 which advance each card to a pair of intermittentlydriven rollers comprising upper spring pressed rollers 33 and lowerrollers 34 which engages the edge of the card. These rollers 33 and 34advance the card to printingposition at which time they momentarilypause in their rotation to stop the feeding of the card to permitprinting on the card in accordance with the preceding analysis.

. This interruption in the advance of the card is accomplished asfollows: Rollers 34 are secured to a shaft 35 (Fig. 1) journaled in theframe of the machine and having attached at' one end a gear 36 (Fig. 2)meshing with a gear 31 on shaft 38 on whichshaft is also a gear 39adapted to be driven by a mutilated gear 40 free on the continuallyrunning shaft l5. Gear 40 carries a pin 40a (see Fig. 3) which may beset in any one of five slots 40b in a disk 400 which is integral withworm wheel l4. Gear 40 is supported by a sleeve 40d which is looselymounted on the shaft I5.

During the rotation of shaft IS the gear 40 will pick up gear 39 bymeans of pin 40a to advance the card to printing position, upon reachingwhich, the toothless portion of gear 40 moves into locking engagementwith gear 39 as shown in Fig. 3. After printing has been effected gear39 .is again engaged for rotation and the card is fed forward to aconveying means (Fig. 1') comprising rollers 4| and tracks 42 whichconvey the card to a suitable stacker 43 where they are collected. Theshafts upon which rollers II are secured are adapted to be continually'driven by reason of the gear connections 44 to the shaft 26 as shown inFig. 2. It is the frictional engagement of rollers II with the uppersurface of the card which causes the card to tion, the card will beinterrupted sooner and a lower line will receive the printingimpression.

Printing mechanism For effecting the printing on the record cards asthey successively pass through the machine a plurality of type bars 45(Fig. 1) are provided. These bars are all mounted for reciprocation inthe frame of the machine and each has a connection through aspring-pressed pawl 48 to a crosshead 41. Thus, in Fig. 1, upon movementof crosshead 41 to the left the pawls 46 through frictional engagementwith bars 45 will move the bars concurrently in the same direction.

The bars may be arrested at any point in their travel and subsequentlythe pawls 48 will disengage and permit the further movement of thecrosshead 41. Upon the reverse movement of crosshead 41 the shouldersI85 (Fig. 6) of the bars 45 will be engaged thereby to positively movethe bars to restored position. For reciprocating thecrosshead 41 thefollowing mechanism is provided.

As shown in Fig. 2 the crosshead 41 is connected at its ends to blocks48 slidable upon rods 49 and having pivoted link connections 58 to afollower arm I pivoted at 52. Arm 5i has a roller 53 cooperating withthe cam groove of a box cam 54 mounted on a shaft 55 connected throughworm gear 56 and worm 51 to the constantly running shaft I8. Thearrangement and timing of the parts is such that'the type bars 45 areadvanced under the influence of pawls 48 synchronously with the movementof a card past the analyzing or sensing brushes 3|.

If a perforation at, say, the 5 position on the card is under thesensing brushes, the corresponding type representing 5 will be at theprinting line. The establishment of an electric circuit through theindex point perforations by the brushes is adapted to energize a magnet58 (Fig. 1).

There are a number of these magnets 58, each magnet being related to acorresponding type bar 45. The energization of any magnet is adapted torelease a pawl device 59 through a wire 6| and latch 82 and allow it toengage one of the ratchet teeth 58 on the bar 45. After pawl 59 hasengaged the teeth 68 further movement of the type bar 45 to the left inFig. 1 is prevented. The type bars 45 are positioned during a passage ofa card past the brushes. Subsequently these type bars are held duringthe period that a card passes from the analyzing stationto printingposition and during the printing operation. After the printingoperation, pawls 59 and latches 62 are positively restored in thefollowing manner.

Secured to shaft 55 is a cam 63 (Fig. 1) against which presses theroller of an arm 84 and which latter is pressed upwardly by a spring 55acting through an arm 65 on shaft 81. The shaft 81 has secured theretoarms 68 which carry a restoring plate 69. Arms I8 pivoted to arms 68carry a restoring plate I I. By this construction cam 63 is adapted tomove plate 69 to the left to restore pawls 59 and plate II is movedupwardly to restore latches 82 and their connected wires 5|.

For each type bar 45 there is an individual hammer I2 which is adaptedto strike the particular type I3 on the type bar which is atthe printingline. The hammers are pivotally mounted on a rod I4 carried by a bar I5and depend for their actuation upon movement of said bar. The bar I5 ispivoted on the frame of the machine by pintles coaxial with rod I4 andhas springs I8 biasing the bar in a clockwise direction in Fig. 1.

To the middle of bar 18 there is pivoted a cam follower arm 'I'Ibifurcated to straddle shaft 88 and having a roller 'I'Ia in cooperationwith a cam I8. Fixed to one face of the cam I8 is a cam member 19 whichcooperates with a projection 88 of the cam follower arm 'I'I.

As the cam I8 revolves, by virtue of the shaft being driven in themanner previously described, it cooperates with the arm 11 through itsfollower roller Ila, gradually retracting the hammers I2 in acounterclockwise direction against the tension of springs I8.

As the roller 'IIa leaves the high point of the cam 18, member I9engages the projection 88 and upon continued rotation of the cam theprojection 88 drops from the member I9 and the springs I5, thusreleased, turn the commonbar I5 in a clockwise direction to swing thehammers I2 against type I3 thus effecting printing.

Referring to Fig. 1, 8| designates a printing platen journaled in theframe of the machine and adapted to be rotated by frictional engagementwith the passing card to prevent excessive wear at any one place. Theinkingv ribbon devices are of conventional form and require no detaileddescription the ribbon 82 being guided along the platen 8| and beneaththe tabulating card.

Circuit diagram (Fig. 15)

In machines of this type, it is desirable that the circuits which areclosed through the perforations in the card to the magnets 58 beinterrupted before the brushes 3| leave the perforations in order toprevent arcing at the brushes.

To this end, circuit breaker contacts 88 are provided as shown in Fig.15.

The circuit breaker contacts CB88 are adapted to be closed by a dentatedcam 89 which is driven by the shaft 55 (Fi 2) so as to rotate once foreach operation of the machine. The contacts 88 are operated by the teethof the dentated cam 89 so as to make contact and hold such contact untilthe perforation has left the brush 3|. The circuit to the magnet 58'through the hole in the card is described as follows for one cardcolumn; from the line side 9|, through card lever contacts CL closedwhen cards are being fed, wire .93, circuit breaker contacts 88, commoncontact roller 32, a brush 8|, a plug connection 95, magnet 58, a switch98, wire 99 and a wire I88 to the other line side MI.

A set of switches I82, as more particularly explained in Patent No.1,946,900, is provided and when one of the switches 98 is open and oneof the. switches I 82 for the same column is closed arrive at thesensing brushes 3| and to close after the 0index point position haspassed the brushes 3| so that the occurrence of a perforation in the 10or 0, 11th or 12th positions would not be effective to cause theenergization of the magnet 58 in the columns in whichswitches 98 areopen and switches I82 closed.

Referring to the wiring diagram (Fig. 15) certain of the mechanicalparts are shown in diagrammatic form in this figure. In this figure Mdesignates the electrical motor which by the belt and pulley connectionpreviously referred to drives the main drive shaft I of the machine.This shaft through the gearing described drives the picker devices whichrotate the fed'rollers to advance and feed the card past the analyzingbrushes 3| and in passing the brushes the usual card lever is pressed bythe cards thus closing card lever contacts CL..

To start the machine in operation, the operator first closes the mainline switch I2I and thereafter the Start Key is depressed to close thestart key contacts I22 which upon closure establish a circuit from theline s'ide 9i through these contacts to a motor relay magnet I24, tomotor M, and to the line side I III. The energlzation of the motor Mcauses the feeding of the cards so that the card lever CL closes itscontacts to cause the energization of a card lever relay magnet I25 byshunting it across the line sides 9| and II. This, closes the relaycontacts I25a which together with the relay contacts I24a establishes aholding circuit for the motor M from the line side 9| through stop keycontacts I28, relay .contacts I25a, cam contacts CC5 now closed, relaycontacts I24a, motor relay magnet I24. motor M through line side IOI.

A cam contact CC2 is provided to hold this circuit during the intervalbetween cards when relay contacts Ia will be open and the circuit isdescribed as follows: From line side 9|, cam contacts CC2, cam contactsCC5, relay contacts I24a, motor relay magnet I24, motor M to the lineside IllI. Contacts CC2 also serve to take the arc from'the relaycontacts I25a with which it is in parallel.

Printing of zeros is effected by the usual zero insertion devices, thedescription of which will now be given for a clearer understanding ofthe present invention, but for further details of description andoperation, reference may be had to the patent to G. F. Daly, No.1,946,900 issued February 13, 1934.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be noted that the 0" index point positionof the card is also used in certain cases to represent the number 10, aswhen a date is recorded, also that the 11th and 12th index pointpositions are adapted to control the position of the type bar so as toprint 11 and 12, respectively. The type elements I3 in Fig. 7 arearranged to successively present themselves in printing position in theorder indicated, synchronously with the passage of the correspondingindex points on the card past the analyzing brushes. It is quite obviousthat if perforations in the 0, 11th or 12th index point positions werepermitted to control the magnet 58 the corresponding numerals would beprinted. Hence, in columns other than those in which .10,.11 or 12 isrepresented, the switches 98 will be moved to open position and theswitches I02 in closed position and the magnets 58 associated therewithwill not interrupt their respective type bars to select the 10, 11 or 12type for printing. Such type bars unless otherwise interrupted in theiradvance, as will hereinafter be set forth, will present a dummy element13a in printing position. This element 13a has the usual type elementspring structure of the type elements 13 and when struck by the hammerwill not permit any printing on the record card.

Printing of zeros will be effected under control of a significant figurein a predetermined column as follows:

Zero printing In Figs, 1, 11 and 12 a series of members I I0, one foreach type bar, is pivoted on a rod III and each is held in either theposition shown in Fig. 11 or Fig. 12 by a spring pressed latching barH2. Cooperating with the members I III is an index strip H3 (Figs. 11and 12)designating the columns to which the members III are related. Thebar H2 is provided with side arms II! to permit individual manualadjustment of members III! and for-retainingthem in their adjustedpositions. I

Each member 0- is provided with a spring urged lever II4 pivoted thereonat II5. When a member H0 is adjusted to the Fig. 12 position, the freeend of the related lever II4 will enter a notch or slot III in therelated type bar 45 if the type bar is not stopped at the digitpositions 1-9 when the type bar reaches its extreme leftward movement,as shown in Fig. .12, causing such type bar to be stopped to a positionwhere the dummy element 13a, of Fig. 7 is presented to the printingposition.

If a member III) is adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 11 and thetype bar 45 is not adjusted to a digit position 1-9 the type bar '45will also be stopped to a position where the dummy element 13a, of Fig.7 is presented to printing position.

Each lever II4 has a laterally. extending arm H6 projecting under thelever II4 of the next high denominational order, as shown in Fig. 13. Ifa member H0 is in the Fig. 11 or Fig. 12 position its lever II4 willengage the arm N8 of the lever II 4 of next lower order to retain thislever depressed so that it will not pass into the recess Ill and itsfree end will be positioned in the path of a stop II8 of the type bar 45and the type bar 45 will be permitted to move to a point where the zerotype element is presented to the printing position. As will be madeclearer later on, if a member H0 is in the Fig; 11 or Fig. 12 positionthe related lever II4 will only effect the above operation if therelated type bar is moved to select the type 19, thus causing theinsertion of necessary zeros, or printing the so-called "mechanicalzero.

With all the members III) in the position shown in Fig. 12 zeros areadapted to be printed across the machine to the left of any significantfigure. The rocking of any member IID to the Fig. 11 position willinterrupt the carrying across of zeros at such point. The functioning ofthe various parts may best be explained in connection with a specificexample.

For instance, for the card shown in Fig. 8 for all columns except theone containing the month designation of the date, the correspondingswitches 98 in Fig. 15 will be in open position and the switches I02 inclosed position. This, as has already been seen, will permit the readingby the analyzing brushes of perforations in the 0 index point positionof such columns but prevent. printing control magnets 58 from beingenergized. Considering now the field of the card headed Amount themember II ll associated with the first undesignated column to the leftof this field and the first column following the field to the right,namely, the Mo. column will be moved to the position of Fig. 11 thesetting of these two members being shown in Fig. 13. This adjustmentwill prevent the carrying of zeros into the Amount field from the rightand will interrupt passage of zeros to the undesignated field adjoiningit on the left. Fig. shows a relation of levers II4 of the second columnof the field wherein the undesignated field and the first column of theAmount" field wherein the lever for the last mentioned column has beenmoved to the left without moving out of controlling engagement with thearm N6 of the next lower denominational order, so that if the relatedlever H4 is held depressed by reason of its associated type bar beingstopped at a significant digit or "4 position, all the levers II6 to theright will be held depressed to the extent of the field. This will causesuch type bars, if they are not set to print the digits 1-9, to print azero, thus causing the zero insertion.

In Fig. 9, the lever II4 of the first column of the next or Mo. fieldwill be to the left as shown and its arm II6 will lie under a notch I20in the lever II4 next higher in order. This relation of the parts, as isreadily understood, prevents the depression of lever H4 at the left frominfluencing the lever II4 on its right. In an identical manner, the lastcolumn at the left of the Amount field in Fig. 8 is prevented fromexerting'an influence over columns in the next undesignated field.

By way of further illustration, consider a single entry in the unitscolumn of the Amoun field and zeros punched in the three remainingcolumns. These three zeros have been analyzed by the brushes but theirprinting control magnets 58 are not energized so that the associatedtype bars will be moved to present the dummy elements 13a to printingposition, and only the units column will stop its type bar to print fromthe particular type selected.

Checking for determination of correct position of type bars It isdesirable to check the position of the type bars to ascertain whetherthe proper positioning is effected in accordance with the perforationsof the record card. This is performed by mechanism shown particularly inFigs. 4, 5, and 6 and explained in connection with the wiring diagram.For each type bar there is provided a camming lever I58 pivoted at I58to the cross head 41 and provided with a high portion I62 cooperatingwith a tail I60 (Fig. 4) of the pawl 46 when the cross head 41 is movedslightly to the left as will he made clearer later. The camming leverI58 is also provided with a recess I6I to the left of the high portion162,

When the pawl 62 is unlatched (as shown in Fig. 6) due to theenergization of magnet 58, after a short interval of the movement oftype bar 45 the pawl 59 will engage the notch 60 to stop the type bar 45and as the cross head 41 continues further after the type bar isstopped, a cam edge I63 of the stopped type bar 45 will rock the pawl 46so that the tail I66 in engagement with the portion I62 of lever I58will rock the lever I58 so that it actuates a T-shaped lever I64, thelatter being carried by a pair of arms I 65 loosely mounted on rods I66.A continued rocking of the pawl 46 will cause the tail I6I thereof toslip by the high portion I62 and into the recess I6I permitting both thelever I58 and the T-shaped lever I65 to be rocked upwardly to normal bytheir springs.

For one denominational order of the type bars 45 the upper arm I65 hasintegral therewith an arm I6I adapted to close a pair of contacts I68a.Each of the type bars will cause the closure of a X 5 related pair ofcontacts mm. For the next denominationally ordered type bar it will beseen from Fig. 5 that the lower arm I65 has an integral arm I69 adaptedto close its pair of contacts I68a. This construction is desirable inorder to provide for the proper side spacing of the pairs of contactsI68a since each is substantiallywider than a type bar 45. The aboveatrangement is repeated for the next two adjacent orders of the set oftype bars as best shown in Fig. 5.

The type bars are restored at the end of the cycle as previously statedby causing the cross bar 41 to contact with the shoulders I of the typebars 45 restoring the latter to their home positions as shown in Fig. 1.As the cross head returns to home position, a plate I86 (Fig. 4)contacts with the extremities of the levers I58 causing them to berocked to disengage the tail I60 from the recess I6I to cause the partsto have the relation shown in Fig. 1. At the initial operation of themachine, the cross head 41 carries the lever I58 out of engagement withthe cam plate I86 permitting the lever I58 to be rocked by its spring sothat the tail I60 occupies a position on top of the portion I62 of thelever I58 as shown in Fig. 4, the parts now being in position to causethe closure of a related pair of contacts I68a by the stoppage of thetype bar as previously explained.

It is explained that the type bar 45 is stopped to select the mechanicalzero, and is also stopped to select the dummy printing element, asbefore explained, and in each of such instances the contacts I68a willalso be cloesd in the manner just explained. The stopping of the typebar 45 is, in these type selecting operations, effected under ggntrol ofthe levers I I4, rather than by the pawl Checking position of type barfor printing digits 7, and 9 There will now be described the means fordetermining whether the type bar is positioned to print the digits 1, 3,5, 7 and 9, in accordance with the perforations of the card, and inconnection with the wiring diagram of Fig. 15 and the timing diagram ofFig. 14.

When the circuit breaker 88 transmits an im pulse to the printing magnet58 for the digits 1, 3, 5, 'I and 9, for selection of odd type, acircuit closer C-I36 will close at such time intervals and this circuitcloser is preferably in the form of a commutator, as showndiagrammatically in Fig. 15, and it is rotated by a shaft driven by thedrive shaft I8. At such time intervals an impulse will be transmitted toa relay magnet by a circuit described as follows: from the plug socketof column 1, for example in which plug is inserted, a wire to a pick uprelay magnet I3I, through the commutator C-I38 to the line side IOI.Hence relay magnet I3I will be energized simultaneously with theprinting magnet 58. Relay magnet I3I will close its relay contacts I3Iathus complete a circuit to holding magnet I33, the circuit to energizethe holding magnet I33 being closed by a circuit breaker CBI3I which,

istimed to close at the odd or 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 time intervals and thecam of which is rotated by a shaft driven by shaft Ill. The holdingrelay magnet I33 when energized will close a series of relay contactsI331), I330 and I33d, and the circuit breaker CBI3I is timed to keep thecircuit to relay magnet I33 closed for 1 index points and thus holds theenergization of the magnet I33 for this period of time, for a purposenow to be explained.

From Fig. 15 it will be seen that a relay magnet R3 is in circuitconnection with a type bar contact f68a, the relay contacts I33b, andcircuit breaker contacts CB-I39 which are driven.

in a manner similar to contacts .CB-I3'I. While the magnet 58 stops thetype bar an appreciable time is required to close the checking contactsIIiBa and from'Fig. 14 it will be seen that this occurs about a pointafter the perforation is analyzed, hence it is necessary to cause thecontacts CB-I3'I to be timed to retain magnet I33 energized and relaycontacts I33b'closed to this next index point, as will be seen from Fig.14. The circuit breaker contacts CBI39 are timed to close when thecontacts "3811 close for odd type selected and hence if the type bar isproperly positioned the relay magnet R--3 will be energized and thelatter will close its relay contacts R3a, and R3b a stick circuit willbe maintained for this relay Rr''3 through the relay contacts Rr3a andcam contacts CC3.

When relay contacts I330 close a circuit will be closed to a relaymagnet R-5 through the cam contacts CC3. Relay magnet R-S will close itsrelay contacts R5b, and stick contacts R5a. From Fig. 14 it will be seenthat cam contacts CC3 close for a considerable period of the operatingcycle to thus maintain relay magnets Re -3 and R-5 energized throughtheir respective relay contacts R-3a and R-Sa respectively. I

Assuming for clarity that only a single column is to be checked foraccuracy in printing it will be seen that a checking circuit is madefrom the line side 9I, a wire I, a plug connection I43, relay contactsR-Sb, relay contacts R3b, relay magnet I35, to the line side IOI, thusenergizing relay magnet I35 as long as cam contacts CC3 are closed. FromFig. 14 it will be seen that when cam contacts CC5 open, cam contactsCC3 are closed and if the proper type is selected of digits 1, 3, 5, 7and 9 relay contacts I35a will be closed when cam contacts CC5 open, andhence the circuit to motor relay I24 will not be interrupted and anothercycle of operation will ensue.

Checking type bar for printing or 0, 2, 4, 6, 8

Substantially the same arrangement is provided to check the printing ofeither digits 10 or 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 and in this instance for onecolumn, a relay magnet I32 is energized through a commutator CI40closing at the even index point positions, and is driven like thecommutator C-I30. The relay magnet I32 is-energized to close its relaycontacts I 320 to cause a holding magnet I34 to be energized, thecircuit being closed through the circuit breaker CBI42 closing at theeven index points and driven like contacts CB-I3'l. The holding magnetI34 closes its relay contacts I34b, I 340, and I34d. The relay contactsI34b close a circuit to relay magnet R-3, if the type bar contacts I 68aclose at the time relay contacts I34b close efiected when the type baris properly stopped, the circuit being through circuit breaker contactsCB-I44 which are also driven like contacts CBI3'I. The closure of relaycontacts I340 will cause the energization of relay magnet R5 tl'n'oughcam contacts AC--3. The time relationship of the contact closing time ofcommutator CI40, circuit breaker contacts CBI42, and CB-I44 is the sameas explained for commutator CI30, circiut breaker contacts CB--I3I andCB-I39.

Hence upon proper position of the type bar for even digits relay magnetsR3 and R-5 will both be energized to cause the continued operation ofthe machine.

Checkingof type bar position for mechanical zero insertion or blankposition It has previously been explained that under certain conditionsa type bar may advance to present a dummy type 13a in printingpositionand under certain conditions it may not be desirable to printthe zeros at the left of the highest significant digit and to insert thezeros for necessary orders by the so-called mechanical zero" devicesdisclosed in Figs. 9-13. For example in representing the number -203- onthe card for four columns it would be represented -0203- on the card andthe switches I02 for the four left digit positions or -020-' would beopened and corresponding switches 98 closed. This is desirable as anumber -0003- may also appear. For the number -0203- the first columnfrom the left -0- will go to blank position. .For the third column fromthe left -0- the zero will be inserted by the mechanical zeros and while0 is perforated on the card it will be analyzed but it will not causethe energization of the printer control magnet 58, but relay magnet I32will be energized. The machine is provided also with means to detectwhether the type bars are at the blank or mechanical zero and isdescribed as follows:

From Fig. 15 it will be seen that a relay R-I is in series with relaycontacts I33d, or relay contacts I34d and cam contacts CCI and thelatter are timed to close the circuit to relay Rr-J whenever relaycontacts I33d or relay contacts I 34d close due to the analysis of aperforation at the index point positions 1-9 inclusive, either even orodd, but not including the 0 perforation.

Relay magnet R'I will close its stick contacts R-'Ia to hold theenergization of relay magnet R3 through cam contacts CC--3.

In the event that there is no perforation analyzed at the 1-9 indexpoint positions relay magnet R-I will not be energized and thus relaycontacts R-Ib will remain closed and a circuit will be made from theline side 3|, through cam contacts CC4, relay contacts R-Ib, type barrlxallitacts I68a, relay magnet R3 to the line side From Fig. 14 it willbe seen that the type bar contacts I68a also close for the mechanicalzero, or blank positions and which may be an asterisk and such closureis indicated as the last two intervals of closure. After the type bar isstopped for printing from either the mechanical zero or the asterisktype, contacts I 63a close and, as previously explained, these contactsclose about one point later in the cycle, and at this time it will beseen that cam contacts CC-4 close so as to energize relay magnet R3which closes its stick contacts R-3a and its checking contacts R-Sb.

It will be noted that when there is a zero perforation relay magnet I34will be energized to close its relay contacts I340, to cause, by thecircuit previously described the energization of the relay magnet R.'.The latter will close its relay contacts R-Sb, and together with therelay contacts R3b will cause, upon proper type bar positioning, theenergization of the relay magnet I35.

Whenit is desirable to print zeros under control of the zerorepresenting perforations the switches 33 for these columns are closedand the switches I02 for these columns are opened. This Machine controlin accordance with checking operations The above described arrangementhas been described for a single order but the circuit diagram disclosesthe circuit arrangement for two orders, but the operation is identical.For the second column the checking circuit comprises relays R-l, R--6,and R8 corresponding to relays R-3, R-5, and R--'| in functions andoperation. When two columns are used for checking the right end of theplug connection I43 will be inserted in a socket I, so that the contactsof relay magnet RIi and R-| control the energization of the relay magnetI35.

In the event that the circuit to magnet I35 will be opened due to theopening of one of the relay contacts in the circuit then relay contactsI35a will be open when cam contacts CC5 open and thus the stick circuitto motor relay magnet I34, and motor M will be opened and the motor willstop. Cam contact CC5 is timed to stop the machine before the time theprinting hammers are released. The hammers are adapted to be releasedfor striking the selected type 13 at the time in the cycle substantiallyat the time disclosed in Fig. 14, this occurring after all the type barshave been set. In practice it has been found that the energization ofthe relay magnet I35 will cause the stoppage of the motor M prior to thetime that the hammers are released to prevent improper printing upon theperforated card.

The indication, given by the stoppage of the machine with cards in themagazine 24, informs the operator that an improper printing operationhas been prevented. With the machine stopped after partially completingits cycle of operation, the operator inserts a rod I83 (Fig. 1) in themachine frames to block the hammers I2 and prevent them from strikingthe type 13. The machine is provided with ahand wheel I84 (Fig. 8) andby manually turning this the shafts I51 and III (Fig. 2) are turned soas to complete the cycle of machine operation to feed the card past thehammers 12. When the card has reached such a position the rod I83 can beremoved and the machine restarted so as to complete printing operationson the remaining cards. The unprinted card can, of course, be located inthe storage hopper or if the operator watches carefully it can bereceived by hand as it is fed by the last set of rollers 4|.

Attention is directed to the fact that cam contacts CC-3 will hold therelays R3, R5 or R-4 and R-6 energized even though the machine stops andthereafter. This will permit a visual inspection of the condition of therelays and reference thereto will indicate which relay has notenergized, and, therefore, the column failing to check.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operationmay be made by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limitedonly as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

Whati-s claimed is:

1. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typeelements each having a certain printing position and other digitrepresenting positions, control means, means for setting said typeelements to said digit representing positions under control of saidcontrol means, or to said certain printing position, means cooperativelyrelated with said type elements to.

check the positioning of said type elements at said other printingposition, and means for causing said last named means to be operativeand effective upon the determination that said type element-s are notset .at said digit representing positions.

2. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typeelements having digit representing printing positions and other printingpositions, control means, means for setting said type elements to saiddigit representing positions under control of said control means oralternatively, to either one of said other printing positions, meanscooperatively related with said type elements to check the positioningof said type elements at either of said other printing positions, andmeans for causing said last named means to be operative and effectiveupon the determination that said type elements are not set at either ofsaid other printing positions.

3. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typeelements, each having digit representing positions and a zero printingposition, control means for determining the digit representing positionsof said elements, means for setting said type elements to said digitrepresenting positions under control of said conrtrol means, or to saidzero printing position, checking means comprising means controlled by atype element to be positioned to zero printing position for determiningwhether said element is properly positioned at said zero printingposition, and means for causing said checking means to be operative andefiectlve upon the determination that said (type elements are not set atsaid digit representing positions.

4. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typeelements each of which is settable to digit positions 1- 9 or 0, meansfor controlling and eifecting the setting of certain of said elements tosaid digit positions 1-9, the other of said type elements being set tothe 0 printing position, comparing means comprising means under controlof the type elements for determining whether the latter are positionedat the digit posi-tions 0, and means for rendering said comparing meanseffective and operative upon the determination that said type elementsare not set at said digit positions 1-9.

5. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a series of members ofdifferent 'denominational order, each member carrying a plurality oftype set'table to type printing positions 1-9 or 0, means for analyzinga plurality of columns of a perforated card, means controlled by saidanalyzing means for positioning said members to print the digitpositions 1-9, certain of said members which are not set to digitpositions 1-9 being positioned to said 0 position for zero insertion,electrical checking mean-s operative upon setting of a member to said 0position for determining whether the member has actually been positionedto the 0 position for zero insertion, and means for causing saidelectrical checking means to be operative and effective upon thedetermination that said type members are not set at said digit positions1-9.

6. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typecarrying members positionable to select the type 1-9 or a mechanicalzero type, means for causing a type carrying member to be positioned toselect the mechanical zero type for zero insertion when said member isnot pcsltioned to select type 1-9, testing means comprising meanscontrolled by a type carrying member to be positioned for the selectionof the mechanical zero type and responsive to its proper positioning forthe selection of such type for determining whether said type carryingmember has actually been positioned for the selection of the mechanicalzero type, and means for causing said testing means to be operative andeffective upon the determination that said type elements are not set atpositions to select the type 1-9.

7. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of typecarrying members each positionable to select the type 1-9 or amechanical zero type, control means, type bar positioning means forcausing the position of a type carrying member under control of saidcontrol means to select said type 19 when said type bar is notpositioned to select the zero type for zero insertion, means for testingwhether said :type carrying members are positioned to select the type1-9 and including devices operated in re.- sponse to the positioning ofa type carrying member for the selection of the type 1-9 and also forthe mechanical zero type, other testing means controlled by said deviceswhen the latter is to be operated in response to the positioning of a:type carrying member for the selection of the mechanical zero type fordetermining whether the last named type carrying member in the absenceof a setting to select type 1-9 has been actually positioned forselection of said zero type, and means for causing said last namedtesting means to be operative and effective upon the determination thatsaid type carrying members are not set to positions toselect the type1-9.

8. In a checking device for a printing apparatus, a plurality of movabletype elements having digit positions 1-9 and 0, mechanical zeropositioning means for stopping one of said type elements at said 0printing position when said type element is not set to any digitposition 1 to 9, means for controlling the setting of said plurality oftype elements to digit positions 1-9, checking means comprising meanscontrolled by the type element which is to be positioned to the 0printing position for determining whether said last named type elementis actually set to said 0 printing position, and means for causing saidchecking means to be operative and effective upon the determination thatsaid type elements are not set to any of the digit positions '1-9.

CLAIR D. LAKE. FRANCIS E. HAMILTON.

